Goosehill Touring 12’6 Review

Hey there, I’m glad you found this review! In this article, I want to talk about the Goosehill Sailor Touring inflatable paddle board with you—specifically, the 12’6 one. I tested this board myself and I can tell you right away that this iSUP is an awesome touring paddle board you can find in 2022. And did I mention that it’s affordable too? Well, you may have known that already if you read my Goosehill article I wrote a while ago.

The Sailor Touring inflatable paddle board is manufactured by Goosehill, one of the most underrated iSUP companies in my opinion. They provide quality stand up paddle boards made for different purposes and they’re all priced surprisingly low! You can also customize your paddle board before purchasing which is a really cool way to get a board that suits you.

Of course, the Goosehill Touring 12’6 is still far from perfect even though it is a pretty good touring SUP as it is. But it does what it’s set out to do so kudos to Goosehill for that. It’s stable, long-bodied, and pointy so it’s essentially one of the most ideal touring stand up paddle boards you can find in the market today. No complaints here!

Specs

Now let’s take a look at the specs of the Goosehill Touring inflatable paddle board. You can browse through the details below so you can decide if the board has the qualities you are looking for.

Length

12'6

Width

32"

Thickness

6"

Weight

26 LBS

Max Rider Weight

502 LBS

Max Air Pressure

18 to 20 PSI

Board type

Inflatable

Skill

Beginners / Advanced

What Makes The Goosehill Touring 12’6 Special?

Now let me properly introduce you to the paddle board we are going to be reviewing today. The first thing I want to discuss is “What makes the Goosehill Touring 12’6 special?”. Well, let’s start with the basics. First, this paddle board has a length of 12’6 and a width of 32” so there is enough deck space to keep you comfortable when paddling around in the water.

You can even take your friend or your canine companion with you since it has a maximum weight capacity of 502 LBS! But, like the disclaimer in their website, I recommend trying to avoid overloading this paddle board. That’s because we still want to keep the SUP’s quality even though it is pretty durable, well-made, and high-performing. (It pays to be careful, you know!)

Next, if we look at the board’s name, you’ll obviously see that it’s made for touring purposes. BUT, it can also be used in a lot of different activities since it has the qualities of an all-around paddle board. To be honest, a lot of iSUPs these days are multi-purpose which makes me really happy, and the Goosehill Sailor Touring is definitely one of them.

Since the board is long-bodied and has enough space, you can use it for relaxing, exploring, and even SUP yoga! Of course, being able to balance the board is a big factor when it comes to the activities I’ve just mentioned. Don’t worry, the Goosehill Sailor Touring is very stable and sturdy as well! I was actually surprised by how easy it was to balance even though it moves quite fast.

And speaking of moving fast, this paddle board actually has a pointed nose so it gives you proper speed in the water, which I really appreciate since it’s made for touring. I mean, can you imagine joining a group tour with a slow paddle board? That will definitely not be ideal! 

Actually, there are a lot of all-around paddle boards in the market but not all of them have a pointed nose that can offer quite the speed like the Goosehill Sailor 12’6 without putting in much of an effort. So, I guess that’s one of its advantages. 

Goosehill uses a SCE Second Generation, which is applied to their Rainbow board, Sailor touring, and Racing board.

They have been developing their drop-stitch (SCE) technology and now they have updated their new line of boards with the second generation of our industry-leading SCE technology. Thanks to this technology, the board now has a more robust core with a higher thread density (14000/㎡) to endure higher pressure. Thus, it is stronger, stiffer, and more responsive.

The core is one of the most extraordinary upgrades. Both of their drop-stitch layer and outer structural PVC material have been double-reinforced before they are laminated firmly together in a layer of specialized environmentally-friendly adhesive.

Compared to SCE first generation, coupled with NST sealing, it significantly increases the stiffness of the board, extends service life, and further optimizes its glide performance. On top of this, we have developed an ultra-light inflatable board: stronger, lighter, and faster.

NST: 5CM Strong Seal to Hold the Board Together 

The strong drop-stitch core is covered by a seal that’s 5cm wide, one of the narrowest in the industry, which requires higher craftsmanship. NST helps to form a firmer connection between the two drop-stitch layers, giving the board excellent stiffness and protecting it from deformation.

Most Suitable For:

Now you might be wondering, “Tom, who is this paddle board for?”. Well, I’m pleased to tell you that anyone can use this board! From beginners to advanced, this high-quality touring SUP is perfect for anyone who wants stability and speed when paddling. You can go slow when you’re just starting out but you can also go fast when you want to take it to the next level!

It’s also great for people with pets or people with kids since it is quite spacious like I’ve already mentioned. Bonus: since this paddle board is made by Goosehill, you can get a customized one if you want a specific look or personalization for your board. How cool is that? I actually regret not customizing my own Goosehill Sailor Touring 12’6. But there’s always a next time! Haha!

On top of all of that, when I got the Goosehill Sailor Touring, I received a complete package with all the basic equipment I will need. Although it’s not as extensive as brands like Bluefin that provide extra accessories, the kit this board comes with is still pretty great. Plus for the price of $736 (formerly $809), you will get a 3-piece carbon fiber paddle (100%!), backpack, detachable center fin, hand pump, and repair kit–which isn’t totally bad!

Primary use
Touring/Recreational 

Speed on the water
Because this board has a pointed nose, it gives a nice speed in the water when you’re paddling. In my experience, it felt very easy to paddle fast without putting in much of an effort, unlike with other paddle boards with a rounded nose.

Of course, you’ll still be able to control its speed so beginners can definitely use it for practicing. However, if you’re a seasoned paddler, you can take it to the extremes if that’s your thing! 

Transport
This paddle board has a total weight of 26 LBS so it’s not really that heavy. It also comes with a decent-sized backpack so you can definitely travel with the deflated board and the included accessories. When inflated, you will find a nice and comfortable grab handle. This makes it easier to carry in or out of the water. 

Stability
Like what I’ve already said a hundred times, the Goosehill Sailor Touring board is very stable. And even though it is a fast paddle board, it still feels quite sturdy when tried in the water. Aside from that, it has a width of 32” which makes it really easy to balance and navigate.

I actually recommend this paddle board to both beginners and advanced paddlers since it’s sturdy enough to practice on or to take it to the extremes 

Tour the world with this multi-purpose paddle board

I honestly believe that Goosehill is one of the most underrated iSUP manufacturers at the moment. Not only because of the quality of their paddle boards like the Goosehill Sailor Touring inflatable paddle board; but also because of the amazing service they offer to all types of paddling enthusiasts out there. 

In my experience, I immediately got my Goosehill Touring 12’6 free of shipping with a 60-day trial guarantee which I highly appreciate. The board also comes with a 3-year warranty which is longer than the average warranties I see in other brands (I mean, it’s still not like Bluefin with their 5-year warranty policy. But hey, it’s still long enough for me!). 

I also kind of regret not asking for a customization on my Goosehill Touring 12 ‘6 because apparently, the brand offers personalization options when you purchase a board from them. It would have been nice to see my name on the board. Can you imagine a paddle board with “Tom” or Stand Up Paddle Board World written on it? Lol, that would be so cool to see. I could have also asked for other extra accessories like more D-rings or more colors in the design, but like I said there’s always a next time, I guess!

Aside from that, the Goosehill Touring 12 ‘6 has a slip-resistant footpad that’s also comfortable enough for touring in long distances. You can definitely use this if you’re a beginner since you won’t have any problem balancing and keeping yourself out of the water. And because of this feature, SUP fitness enthusiasts can also enjoy this board for activities like SUP yoga or pilates–I haven’t tried doing that with the Goosehill Touring 12 ‘6, though so you can’t take my word for it! Haha. 

If you think about it, even though this paddle board is made for touring, it’s still a great multi-purpose board. It can be used by anyone since it’s stable, fast, spacious, comfortable, and durable. Not to mention the nice and sleek design that’s pleasing to the eye. You can pretty much do anything with this good-looking board, except for SUP kayak. 

As someone who enjoys transforming my paddle boards into a kayak, I wasn’t able to experience that with the Goosehill Touring 12 ‘6 since it doesn’t come with an attachable kayak seat. And the paddle I got when I received the package cannot be transformed into a double-bladed kayak paddle so that was a little bit disappointing. This paddle board could’ve been the perfect all-around iSUP but I guess it still gets the job done. 

And speaking of the package, the Goosehill kit comes with a sailor paddle board, SUP leash, 3-piece carbon fiber paddle, hand pump detachable center fin, repair kit, and backpack. The backpack is quite comfortable as well as the leash, and the paddle feels super high-quality since it’s made with 100% carbon material. The only negative comment I have with the accessories is that inflating the board was a bit of a challenge with the included hand pump so I recommend you use an electric pump like the Outdoor MasterShark or Whale. 

An in-depth look at the Goosehill Touring 12 ‘6 design

Now let’s talk about the design of the board. Starting with the small details, the Goosehill Sailor Touring inflatable paddle board has d-rings attached in the front bungee area near the board’s nose. And like I’ve previously mentioned, this one has a grab handle in the middle for easy transport in and out of the water. Oh and let’s not forget about the high quality air valve you can find just below the board’s footpad. 

Moving on to the overall design, I’d say this board looks really great, with a very modern and sleek lay out. Of course, I also like how this board has a pointed nose so you glide through the water faster, saving me time and energy when paddling. And since it has a width of 32” and a super comfy foot pad, it’s super easy to balance and navigate as well.

Important features

Setup

• Pointed nose providing excellent glide
• Long body offering space and stability
• Expandable front bungee system for your items
• Visible air valve in the tail area
• Comes with a comfortable leash 
• Comfortable and slip-resistant foot pad

Fins
The Goosehill Sailor Touring inflatable paddle board comes with an attachable center fin. The center fin is sleek and sharp, helping the board to keep a straight line.

The fin can be an advantage when touring around in this board since you won’t have any trouble trying to renavigate its direction. I definitely recommend making use of the free center fin included in the package.

Material
Goosehill prides itself on its high-quality products. And after testing out the Goosehill Touring 12’6, I can say it’s definitely high-performing since it’s made with durable and cost-effective materials.

To get a paddle board with this caliber for a decent price is quite the deal if you ask me! Plus, the paddle is made with 100% carbon fiber and is extremely lightweight, so what more can you ask for?

Inflate / deflate
This paddle board can be inflated up to 18 to 20 PSI since it has a length of 12 ‘6. But even though the board is long, it didn’t take much time for me to inflate it with the Goosehill electric pump that it comes with.

However, I found the pump to be a bit too loud for my liking, so I would recommend one of my favorite electric pumps like the OutdoorMaster Shark II or even the Whale that does not need to be attached to your car because it works on batteries. You can also easily deflate this board through the dainty air valve in the tail of the board.

Warranty
Now, if you’ve been an avid reader of my reviews, you’ll know that I’m a huge fan of Bluefin paddle boards. One of the things I like about that brand is its 5-year warranty policy.

For this Gooesehill Sailor Touring 12 ‘6, they give out a free 3-year warranty when you buy the board. It’s one of the closest warranties to Bluefin paddle boards and I actually really appreciate it. 

Design
This board has a nice blue an white design with a big black Croco-Overall, I think the board’s minimal print and design makes it look very modern and sleek which I like. The shape of the board is also ideal for touring and other purposes.

But if I were to change something about the design, I would remove the grab handle in the middle of the board. It gets a little bit annoying sometimes so I would suggest they put it in other areas of the SUP. 

In The Package

Paddle 

When I received the package, I got the carbon-fiber paddle inclusion. The paddle feels high quality since it’s produced with 100% carbon fiber so that’s definitely a plus for me. It’s also a 3-piece paddle so you can adjust the height and make it shorter or longer.

Again, since the Goosehill Sailor Touring does not come with a SUP kayak seat, the paddle does not come with an extra blade as well. But as it is, I think the paddle is amazing and it can cut through the water easily, so beginners won’t have a hard time using it as well.

Pump

The package comes with an electric pump that inflates the board in 9 minutes to 15 PSI. I really like that Goosehill includes an electric instead of a manual pump because this board is huge and will take at least double the time to inflate otherwise.

The electric pump is noisy. It can inflate up to 22 psi, so that’s a lot, and I was impressed. It needs to be connected to a car to work, unlike the Whale.

Leash

The Goosehill Touring 12’6 comes with a nice paddle board leash in the package. As you know, I like coiled ankle leashes like this one since it only stretches when you fall into the water so it’s not annoying to wear when you’re just paddling. This leash is also detachable so you can remove it from the D-ring any time if you’re feeling spicy lol!

Another great thing about the Goosehill leash is that it gives a comfortable feeling when worn. It’s not itchy or spikey at all like the other cheap ankle leashes you can find in the market today. 

Backpack

If you’re looking for a paddle board that includes a nice and comfortable backpack, well, look no further. I recommend the backpack that comes with the Goosehill Touring 12’6 package since it’s wide and spacious so you can fit all the accessories in the kit, including the double action hand pump.

It also has amazing padded straps so it doesn’t move around when you wear it. It’s perfect for those of you who travel a lot with your stand up paddle boards, especially for people who like to explore and tour around different cities like me. It doesn’t look chunky even if it’s full so that’s a plus for me.

Optional accessories (not included)

Restube classic
Because extra safety measures never hurt anyone!

Buy Restube Classic

Bluefin Electric SUP pump
For those who don’t want the exercise before getting on the board.

Buy Electric SUP pump

Difference between an Inflatable board and a Hard board

Frequently Asked Questions About The Goosehill Touring 12’6

Conclusion: Goosehill Touring 12’6

If you’re on the hunt for a touring paddle board that can take you around the world, I highly recommend the Goosehill Touring 12’6. With awesome qualities that provide stability, speed, and durability, this paddle board is a high-performing touring iSUP that can be used as a multi-purpose paddle board.

When I say it’s a multi-purpose paddle board, I’m talking about activities like SUP Yoga, SUp pilates, relaxing, exploring, and even racing because of the board’s pointed nose. This board is also ideal for people with kids or dogs since it provides more space than the standard 30” width of normal paddle boards in the market.

So whether you are a beginner or an advanced paddler, I really think you could enjoy using the Goosehill Sailor Touring inflatable paddle board. In my own experience, I thoroughly enjoyed testing out this board. I was amazed by how fast it can go and how comfortable the foot pad is. I also appreciate that it comes with a complete package, but I do wish it came with a detachable SUP kayak seat.

I’m very excited to try more paddle boards from Goosehill since I do think they can offer a lot more. This is only my second review of their boards so I can’t wait to test out more high-quality iSUPs from their brand.

If you’d like to see more reviews like this from me, don’t forget to comment down below so we can start a conversation. 🙂 You can also reach out to me and the community on Facebook and Instagram. See you there! 

Swipe from right to left to view the rest of the table

Product image
Product	Goosehill Paddle Board Sailor 10’6 Review	Goosehill Touring 12’6 Review	Goosehill Rainbow R 10’6
Build	Inflatable	Inflatable	Inflatable
Skill	Beginner	Beginners / Advanced	Beginner / Advanced
Price	Price unknown	Price unknown	Price unknown
Score	9.8	9	7.6
All-round
Touring
Surfing
Yoga